AP: Mavericks Trade Anthony Davis to Wizards One Year After Luka Doncic Deal The Dallas Mavericks have traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. The AP reported on Wednesday that Dallas and Washington agreed to a blockbuster deal. Washington received Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. Dallas got Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III, along with two first-round draft picks and three second-round picks. The move drew attention because it includes Davis. In February last year, Dallas sent franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and acquired Davis. The deal sparked a stunned reaction at the time. While Davis is an elite player, many questioned the logic of trading the younger, more productive Doncic. Washington has now added Davis after acquiring Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks last month, giving the Wizards a stronger lineup. Dallas, meanwhile, has effectively hit the reset button and is reshaping its roster around its next star, Cooper Flagg. 2026-02-05 12:51:00

K-Heritage Foundation, Aju Media join hands for K-heritage 5.0 era SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) -The K-Heritage Foundation and Aju Media Group have joined hands to promote the digital preservation and global dissemination of Korea’s national heritage. The K-Heritage Foundation led by President Park Dong-seok, and Aju Media Group headed by President Lee Kwu-jin, signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday to cooperate on the digital conservation, video production and international promotion of traditional Korean heritage. The agreement marks a key step in advancing the foundation’s “K-Heritage 5.0” vision. Under its 2026 business plan, the foundation has identified major initiatives including the globalization of a “Top 100 K-Heritage Video Archive” and the hosting of a UNESCO heritage expo in cooperation with countries that participated in the Korean War. Park said the Korean Wave must evolve beyond content consumption toward deeper values and heritage. “The Korean Wave should now move into the 5.0 era, expanding from entertainment into spirit, values and legacy,” Park said. “We aim to build a platform that shares Korea’s history and cultural heritage with global citizens, beyond K-dramas and K-pop.” He added that the video archive project and the UNESCO heritage expo would serve as foundations for systematically documenting Korea’s heritage and strengthening international cooperation. Under the agreement, the two sides will jointly pursue projects including digital recording and archiving of cultural assets, multilingual content production, global distribution platforms and public-interest cultural diplomacy programs. Lee said the K-Heritage 5.0 initiative represents the next stage of the Korean Wave. “This is a highly meaningful direction for the future of Korean culture,” Lee said. “It would be especially significant if this agenda is officially presented at this year’s UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan.” He emphasized the role of media in preservation and outreach. “Our responsibility is to document and spread cultural value,” Lee said. “Aju Media will actively work to record disappearing craftsmanship, traditional skills and regional heritage through video and data, and share them with the world.” The partnership will initially run for one year from the signing date, with plans for automatic renewal. The two organizations will continue consultations and jointly develop projects to build a comprehensive global platform for Korean heritage. Through the agreement, the K-Heritage Foundation and Aju Media Group aim to transform Korea’s cultural legacy into a “future asset” to be shared by future generations and global audiences alike. 2026-02-05 12:11:22

FM meets US energy chief to discuss nuclear cooperation SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on the sidelines of a U.S.-led ministerial meeting on critical minerals in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the speedy implementation of a tariff-related bilateral agreement reached in October last year. The agreement includes Seoul's pledge to invest $350 billion in the U.S. as part of a broader deal to reduce reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent. But the deal now faces uncertainty as U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to raise tariffs again, citing delays in carrying it out. Cho and Wright also agreed to work together to facilitate the implementation of the deal through working-level discussions, with Cho saying he expects that expanded cooperation on the construction of nuclear submarines as well as on uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel will further strengthen strategic ties between the two allies. Wright said he would actively work to achieve tangible outcomes. 2026-02-05 11:24:26

Software tantrums shake Asian markets; Korean shares lose nearly 3% SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Asian stocks tracked Wall Street lower early Thursday, as fears over disruption in the software industry from rapid advances in artificial intelligence triggered broad selling. The Nasdaq suffered its worst two-day rout since last April’s “tariff tantrums,” as investors retreated from software stocks following the release of a suite of industry-specific AI tools, including systems capable of reviewing legal contracts developed by Anthropic. Asian semiconductor shares took a header after Advanced Micro Devices reported earnings that fell short of elevated expectations for AI-driven growth. AMD shares plunged more than 17 percent. “The pullback reflects lingering concerns over AI-related earnings visibility,” said Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities. “Given their close linkage to U.S. tech shares, Korean stocks remain vulnerable to further downside.” In Seoul, both the benchmark KOSPI and the secondary KOSDAQ retreated more than 2 percent, as foreign investors took profits following months of strong gains. As of 11:05 a.m., the KOSPI had fallen 2.76 percent to 5,223.10, while the KOSDAQ dropped 2.56 percent to 1,120.00. The won weakened against the U.S. dollar, pressured by renewed dollar strength and continued yen weakness. The move followed comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reaffirming support for a strong-dollar policy, while political uncertainty ahead of Japan’s snap election weighed on the yen. As a result, the won–dollar exchange rate rose above the 1,460 level in early trading, with the dollar gaining 1.20 won to 1,461.70. Foreign investors sold a net 2.3 trillion won on the main board and 2.1 trillion won on the KOSDAQ. Losses were broad-based across sectors, led by heavyweight technology stocks, while defense and shipbuilding shares also traded lower. Samsung Electronics fell 3.61 percent to 163,000 won, while chipmaker SK hynix dropped 3.67 percent to 867,000 won. Battery maker LG Energy Solution edged up 0.12 percent to 403,000 won. Financial and biotech shares were mixed. Samsung Life Insurance rose 0.46 percent to 198,400 won, while Samsung Biologics slipped 0.68 percent to 1,747,000 won. Automakers also posted mixed moves, with Hyundai Motor down 0.79 percent at 500,000 won and Kia up 0.57 percent at 157,700 won. Defense and aerospace shares weakened, with Hanwha Aerospace retreating 5.89 percent to 1,246,000 won. Shipbuilders were also under pressure. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 2.06 percent to 571,000 won, while Hanwha Ocean slid 2.43 percent to 140,500 won after reporting weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, prompting near-term selling despite broker upgrades and positive long-term outlooks for LNG and special-purpose vessels. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 was nearly flat, down 0.15 percent at 54,210.24, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 0.6 percent to 4,076.89 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.1 percent to 26,543.85. 2026-02-05 11:19:04

BYD Korea Unveils Dolphin Electric Hatchback, Starting at 24.5 Million Won BYD Korea on Wednesday unveiled the BYD Dolphin, a small electric hatchback aimed at the urban EV market. The company said the Dolphin is optimized for city driving, with efficient packaging and a price positioned to appeal to first-time EV buyers, commuters and consumers looking to downsize. Its exterior follows BYD’s EV design concept, “Ocean Aesthetics,” reinterpreting the dolphin’s flowing curves and movement in a modern style. Despite its compact size, the Dolphin has a 2,700-millimeter wheelbase and seats five. With the rear seats folded, cargo space expands to as much as 1,310 liters, BYD Korea said. The model will be offered in two trims: the Dolphin and the long-range, higher-performance Dolphin Active. The Dolphin Active produces 150 kW (about 204 horsepower) and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 7.0 seconds. Both trims are built on the EV-only e-Platform 3.0 and include a heat-pump system to improve energy efficiency across driving conditions. The car uses BYD’s Blade Battery. The Ministry of Environment-certified driving range is up to 354 kilometers per charge (Dolphin Active). With fast charging, the battery can be charged to 80% in about 30 minutes, the company said. A rotating 10.1-inch touch display supports T Map navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. Features include vehicle-to-load capability, a panoramic glass roof with an electronic sunshade, and a 3D surround-view monitor. The Dolphin Active adds a two-tone exterior color option, ventilated front seats and wireless smartphone charging. The Dolphin earned a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, BYD Korea said. All trims come standard with seven airbags and advanced driver-assistance systems. Prices, after eco-friendly vehicle tax benefits and before subsidies, are set at 24.5 million won for the Dolphin and 29.2 million won for the Dolphin Active. BYD Korea said the Dolphin will go on sale nationwide starting Feb. 11, with test drives available at BYD showrooms. Deliveries of the Dolphin Active are scheduled to begin in March on a rolling basis. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 10:51:00

Marco Landi says AI will expand cinematic creativity as festival moves to South Korea SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Marco Landi, the former president of Apple and a leading figure in the global artificial intelligence sector, says the technology should be viewed as a tool for augmented imagination rather than a threat to human creativity. Landi, who currently serves as the president of Institut EuropIA and founded the World AI Film Festival (WAIFF), shared his vision for the future of cinema and technology during a recent interview. His remarks come as the festival prepares to expand to South Korea in 2026, marking a significant step in his mission to build a global ecosystem for AI-driven storytelling. With a career spanning leadership roles at Texas Instruments and Apple, Landi has spent decades at the intersection of innovation and culture. He established the House of Artificial Intelligence in 2021 to promote education and inclusion, particularly for women and young creators. He later launched the World AI Cannes Festival to explore how AI transforms specific industries, with cinema emerging as a primary focus. "Film is a powerful lens because it brings together storytelling, emotion, music, image, and culture," Landi said. "Our goal is not a technological revolution that erases tradition, but a thoughtful transition that preserves Europe’s rich cinematic heritage while helping creators embrace new tools." The inaugural WAIFF in 2025 received 1,500 submissions from around the world in just three months. Landi noted that AI is radically lowering the barriers to entry for filmmakers, allowing creators to produce high-quality work with significantly smaller budgets. The decision to bring the festival to South Korea follows a surge of international interest. Landi emphasized that the Seoul edition is designed as a two-way bridge to foster cross-cultural exchange between South Korean creators and international filmmakers. "Every country brings its own cultural perspective, sensibility, and storytelling tradition," Landi said. "By sharing these experiences, we enrich one another. Cinema becomes a space of dialogue rather than competition." Addressing concerns about the ethical implications of AI, Landi stressed the importance of governance and the protection of intellectual property. He said WAIFF is developing an ethical charter to ensure creators are fairly rewarded and their work is respected. "AI is not here to replace creativity," Landi said, citing a conversation with musician Jean-Michel Jarre. "It is a tool that helps imagination move faster, reach further, and materialize ideas more efficiently." Landi's philosophy on technology leadership remains rooted in principles he observed during his time at Apple. He cited the influence of Steve Jobs, noting that technology must be effective enough for people to want to use it and beautiful enough for them to want to own it. As the festival grows, Landi hopes to reach at least 50 countries within three years. He envisions WAIFF as an ecosystem that connects creators, investors, and distributors while fostering sustainable business models for the new film industry. Traditional filmmaking and AI-assisted creation can coexist and enrich one another, Landi said. He noted that the festival aims to reach at least 50 countries within three years as it builds a broader structure dedicated to education and ethics. 2026-02-05 10:48:01

Celltrion posts record profit as new biosimilars drive sales growth SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion reported record annual earnings on Thursday as strong sales of newer, higher-margin biosimilars lifted both revenue and profitability. In a regulatory filing, the firm said consolidated revenue for 2025 rose 17 percent from a year earlier to 4.16 trillion won, while operating profit jumped 137.5 percent to 1.17trillion won. It marked the first time Celltrion surpassed both 4 trillion won in annual revenue and 1 trillion won in operating profit in the same year. Operating margin rose to 28.1 percent, up 14.3 percentage points from a year earlier. Fourth-quarter revenue climbed 25.1 percent year on year to 1.33 trillion won, while operating profit surged 142 percent to 475.2 billion won, exceeding company guidance. Celltrion attributed the growth largely to rapid expansion of higher-margin new biosimilars. Alongside steady sales of established products such as Remsima, Truxima and Herzuma, newer drugs including Remsima SC, Yuflyma, Vegzelma and Zymfentra gained traction, lifting global biopharmaceutical sales 24 percent to 3.9 trillion won. New products accounted for 54 percent of total biopharmaceutical sales, the company said. Celltrion set a 2026 revenue target of 5.3 trillion won and plans to increase the share of new products in sales to 70 percent through bidding strategies centered on newer drugs and by strengthening its direct sales network. The company also plans to expand its contract manufacturing and development businesses through its Branchburg, New Jersey, facility, while broadening its biosimilar and innovative drug pipeline to support longer-term growth. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-05 10:37:53

Older mothers on the rise due to later marriages SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - The number of women giving birth in their late 30s and 40s is on the rise, as more and more tie the knot later in life, the Ministry of Data and Statistics said on Thursday. Childbirths among women in their late 30s increased for 11 consecutive months last year, rising an average of 5.1 percent from January through November, compared with the same period in 2024. Births to women in their 40s showed a similar trend. Over the same period, childbirths among women in their early 30s slowed, declining for three months in the second half of the year. The trend is widely attributed to later marriages, which are delaying women's first births. The average age at first marriage for women rose to 31.6 in 2024, up from 30.0 in 2015. "With more women marrying later in life, the age of first-time mothers has been rising," the ministry said. 2026-02-05 10:33:27

K Bank Makes Third KOSPI IPO Bid, Targets SME and Platform Growth 인터넷전문은행 케이뱅크가 설립 10주년인 올해 유가증권시장(코스피) 상장을 위한 세번째 도전에 나섰다. 새해 들어 코스피지수가 5000선을 넘어선 가운데 케이뱅크는 SME(개인사업자, 중소기업) 시장 진출과 플랫폼 비즈니스 기반 구축, 디지털 자산 분야 경쟁력 강화에 속도를 내며 성공적으로 증시에 안착하겠다는 각오다. K Bank, a South Korean internet-only bank, is making its third attempt to list on the Korea Stock Exchange’s main KOSPI market in its 10th anniversary year. With the KOSPI index topping 5,000 so far this year, the bank said it will accelerate expansion into the SME market — including sole proprietors and small and midsize companies — build out its platform business and strengthen competitiveness in digital assets as it seeks a stable market debut. CEO Choi Woo Hyung said at a news conference Thursday at the Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, that “K Bank has continued its growth and innovation since its launch.” The bank said it was the first in South Korea to offer fully non-face-to-face products including home mortgage loans, real estate-backed loans for sole proprietors and guaranteed loans for sole proprietors. It also provides other lending products such as credit loans and jeonse deposit loans, along with deposit products including savings accounts, a parking account called Plus Box and an automatic savings service called Challenge Box — all through fully digital channels. As of last year, K Bank said it had 15.53 million customers, with 18.4 trillion won in outstanding loans and 28.4 trillion won in deposits. It cited interest-rate competitiveness and convenience as key growth drivers, saying it posted five straight years of top-tier average annual growth in deposits and loans among domestic banks, at 49.9% for deposits and 42.8% for loans, supported by what it called industry-low loan rates and industry-high deposit and savings rates. K Bank said it will use capital raised from the IPO to broaden its deposit and loan lineup and invest in future growth, including entry into the SME market, stronger tech leadership, expansion of platform businesses and new ventures such as digital assets. It aims to gradually expand from a household-loan-centered portfolio into corporate lending, targeting a 50-50 split between household and SME by 2030. The bank also plans to build an investment product lineup spanning stocks and bonds as well as alternative assets such as virtual assets and gold, and to expand partnerships with lifestyle companies. It said it is pursuing cooperation with countries including Thailand and the United Arab Emirates to build stablecoin-based cross-border remittance and payment infrastructure, with the goal of becoming a digital finance hub supporting more efficient cross-border money transfers. The offering totals 60 million shares, with an indicative price range of 8,300 won to 9,500 won per share. At the top of the range, the offering would raise 570 billion won. After listing, 725 billion won from past paid-in capital increases would be recognized as capital in calculating the BIS ratio, which the bank said would bring the total funding inflow effect to about 1 trillion won. K Bank will run book-building through Monday and set the final offering price on Feb. 12. Retail subscriptions will be held on Feb. 20 and 23 through NH Investment & Securities, Samsung Securities and Shinhan Investment Corp. The listing date is March 5. Choi said the bank prepared a “shareholder-friendly” offering structure by lowering the price range from earlier plans and adjusting the amount of shares available for trading on the first day of listing. “Based on the capital we secure, we will strengthen our capabilities and become an innovative financial company trusted by both customers and shareholders,” he said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-05 10:33:00

Hanwha expands Middle East footprint with debut of AI-integrated defense systems SEOUL, February 05 (AJP) - Hanwha is set to showcase next-generation, AI-enabled weapon systems on the global stage for the first time, signaling a major push into the Middle Eastern defense market and a deepening strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. Hanwha aims to demonstrate South Korea’s defense competitiveness at the World Defense Show 2026 (WDS), to be held in Riyadh from Feb. 8 to 12. Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean announced Wednesday that they will jointly operate their largest-ever integrated exhibition booth at WDS, spanning 677 square meters, including an outdoor display area. Held biennially, the Saudi defense exhibition marks its third edition this year, with 773 companies from 76 countries expected to participate. At the center of Hanwha’s exhibition is the debut of its AI-enabled loitering precision-guided weapon (L-PGW), presented as a core capability for future warfare. Developed by Hanwha Aerospace, the L-PGW autonomously conducts reconnaissance, target identification and engagement using artificial intelligence. It integrates satellite data links to transmit battlefield information, before deploying and launching a self-destructing drone to strike designated targets. The system is being unveiled for the first time in a market long dominated by major U.S. and European defense contractors. The company will debut its multi-mission radar (MMR), which is designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats such as drones in coordination with ground-based weapon systems. It will also present AI-powered combat management systems, four-face fixed AESA multi-function radars, unmanned platforms and a stealth-designed “Smart Battleship,” reflecting the growing emphasis on networked and autonomous warfare. Beyond individual platforms, Hanwha is emphasizing a comprehensive, localization-focused cooperation model aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 goals. The K9A1 self-propelled howitzer on display has been customized specifically for Saudi requirements and is equipped with a 1,000-horsepower diesel engine produced by Korea’s STX Engine. Also featured is the Tigon wheeled armored vehicle, optimized for desert terrain. In the maritime domain, Hanwha Ocean will highlight its “Naval solutions” portfolio, spanning submarines, surface vessels and unmanned maritime systems. Exhibits include the 3,000-ton Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine, launched in October last year. A key element of the presentation is Hanwha’s customized submarine base solution, offered as a comprehensive package covering design, construction, equipment, training and operations. The approach reflects a shift away from arms sales toward defense industrialization models focused on localization and long-term operational autonomy. "We are committed to making tangible contributions to Saudi Arabia’s defense capabilities and to further strengthening our strategic partnership,” a Hanwha official said. 2026-02-05 10:29:09